5/11/2024 – 5/17/2024
The last few days have been busy, which is very usual and a bit repetitive at the same time. Can you say DigiBirds, Air Guns, and inventorying equipment over and over and over again?
Since there was a lot of repeated work this week, I want to take this week’s blog in a different direction. The weather has been really hot and humid, but the waves are rather calm. I’m sure many of you know about “slimy pollywogs” and crossing the equator!!! Well we crossed it and Sunday afternoon we had our ceremony. It was a riot. We all received a subpoena to appear before Neptune, but first we had to ask the “dolphins” over the side of the ship for directions to Neptune (on the muster deck). Then we had to get into these makeshift boats and paddle our way to the muster deck. But apparently, we were all swallowed by a whale and had to crawl our way out of the mouth of the whale (two tarps connected and filled with water and soap). It was messy and so much fun. Then we finally made it to Neptune where the charges against us were read aloud for all to bear witness.
The first charge was the same for all of us, but the 2nd and 3rd were written specifically for each individual. I do believe they got mine pretty spot on!! Check these out…
CHARGE I: In that Colton Borresen now sailing with the ship MARCUS G. LANGSETH, has hitherto willfully and maliciously failed to show reverence and allegiance to our Royal person, and is therein and thereby a vile land-lubber and a slimy pollywog.
CHARGE II: It is inconceivable to even mention. It has been rumored in the mud flats, deltas and river estuaries that this park bench warmer has been masquerading as an honorable shellback by his unrighteous activities of; SCUBA Diving, Training Dolphins (as if they need to be trained), studying for Marine Biology and other unholy acts of a landlubber. As all honorable shellbacks know, only one who has been inducted into our depths, has sailed the seven seas, has seen the green light at sunset or who has crossed the equator can truly understand the denizens of the waves.
CHARGE III: That this lounge-lizard has been doing his gym time while working as he has been using the excuse of forgetting tools to be able to run the stairs to the PSO tower multiple times a day as an honorable shellback waits in the sun, far from the sea. In addition this chicken chaser has failed to crack a smile or giggle while in my domain.
The whole thing was a riot and the effort that the crew put into it was greatly appreciated.
Also, I had another incredible moment this week. I found out that my Pop Pop (going to be 91 in October) sailed with Marcus G. Langseth in 1956 when both were Junior Scientists. Pop got goosebumps and cried when my parents told him the name of the vessel I was on. Now Pop is digging through his archive of memories and pictures and recalling so many great times long forgotten. I have now seen pictures that Pop took of Marcus G. Langseth when they were young Junior Scientists in 1956 aboard the (chartered) vessel Theta. Such a small and incredible world.
I hope you have enjoyed an honest and true taste of life aboard the R/V Marcus G. Langseth.
Stay tuned for my next posting as we get ever closer to NYC.